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Archival description area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Marjorie Lowry Christie Pickthall (1883–1922) was a librarian, a writer and a poet. She was born in Gunnersby, Middlesex, England, the daughter of Arthur C. Pickthall and Helen Mallard. She died in Vancouver, British Columbia, following an operation.

She moved with her family to Southwater, Sussex, then to Toronto, Ontario in 1889. She was educated at St. Mildred’s College and Bishop Strachan School. She sold her first story, “Two-Ears” to The Globe (a Toronto newspaper) while still a student at Bishop Strachan School. She was employed as an assistant librarian at Victoria University Library, Toronto, from 1910 to 1912 and her writing was published in several periodicals during that time, including Acta Victoriana, a student literary journal at Victoria College.

Pickthall moved to England in 1912 and lived near Salisbury until 1919. She participated in World War I as an ambulance driver, a farm labourer and a library clerk. She wrote many short stories and poems during this period. After the war she returned to Toronto, then moved to Vancouver, where she continued to write.

Pickthall published over two hundred short stories and approximately one hundred poems along with numerous articles in journals such as Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s, and Scribner’s. She also contributed to young people’s magazines. Her publications include: The Drift of Pinions (1913), Lamp of Poor Souls and Other Poems (1916), Little Hearts (1916), The Bridge: A Story of the Great Lakes (1922), The Woodcarver’s Wife and Other Poems (1922), Angels’ Shoes: And Other Stories (1923), Little Songs: A Book of Poems (1925), and The Complete Poems of Marjorie Pickthall (1927).

She is buried at the St. James Cemetery in Toronto.

Custodial history

Scope and content

The fonds consists of Marjorie Pickthall’s records pertaining to her activities as a poet and writer. The fonds includes: correspondence, including correspondence with Helena Coleman (1908-22), and Pelham Edgar (1903-04); manuscripts including (annotated) poems, short stories and articles; personal material including photographs; artistic material by Pickthall including paintings and drawings; and, other material.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Much of the fonds was acquired from Helena Coleman, Pelham Edgar, Lorne Pierce, Nina Gale and other persons. An essay by Dorothy Elizabeth Toye Long was acquired from D. Toye in 1964. A selection of drawings, letters and poems by Pickthall were removed from the manuscript collection of Helena Coleman and presented to Victoria University Library by May Glen in 1954. A book and some photographs were acquired from Mary M. Glen in 1969. Framed photographs were acquired from Lorne Pierce. Some photographs were acquired from Dr. G.I. Evans through Mrs. G.C. Andrew in 1981.

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Restrictions on access

No restrictions on access.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Part of the fonds is available on microfilm which researchers are requested to use unless an enquiry can be satisfied only by consulting original documents. For further information contact the Chief Librarian.